By : JD
Jordan Daily – The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) marked World Environment Day by calling for urgent action to tackle plastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea, one of the world’s most critical marine biodiversity hotspots.
Despite covering less than 1% of the world’s ocean area, the Mediterranean hosts nearly 20% of all known marine species. However, it also suffers from one of the highest concentrations of plastic pollution globally, with around 730 tonnes of plastic waste entering the sea daily, UFM said in a statement.
“If plastic production continues to grow at 4% annually and waste management is not radically improved, leakage into the sea could double by 2040 and there could be more plastic than fish by 2050,” the UfM warned.
The region’s pollution crisis is driven by dense coastal populations, tourism, and the sea’s limited water exchange. The UfM called for circular economy policies that reduce plastic use and promote biodegradable alternatives to meet UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The UfM highlighted its Blue Mediterranean Partnership (BMP), a multi-donor fund supporting sustainable blue economy projects in the Southern Mediterranean and Red Sea. Updates on the BMP are expected next week at the UN Oceans Conference in Nice.
“As we mark World Environment Day, it is crucial we recognise that the growing tide of plastic waste is not only an environmental issue, but one that directly impacts the wellbeing of our communities and economies,” said UfM Secretary General Nasser Kamel. “Cross-border issues including plastic pollution require cross-border solutions.”
